The Future of Router Technology: Emerging Trends and Developments

Routers allow us to connect to the internet and share data. They are the gateway between our devices and the wider Internet. Router technology has evolved significantly, and today, we have access to a wide range of advanced routers that offer better performance and expanded capabilities.

In this article, we will explore some of the emerging trends and developments in router technology and discuss how these innovations are changing the way we connect to the Internet. From mesh networking to smart routers and the latest wireless standards, we will take a look at the potential future of router technology and how these developments could impact our daily lives.

Mesh networking

Mesh networking has been one of the most exciting developments in router technology. Unlike traditional routers, which use a single device to broadcast a wireless signal, mesh networks use multiple devices to create a single, seamless network.

These devices, known as mesh points, work together to create a single wireless network that covers a larger area and provides improved performance. Here’s a video showing how easy it is to set up the Google WiFi router and mesh points throughout your house.

Improved coverage

The key benefit of mesh networking is that it provides better coverage than traditional routers. Mesh points can be placed throughout a home or office. This creates a strong signal in areas that are traditionally difficult to reach, such as the basement and upper floors. Users can connect to the Internet from any location within the mesh network, without experiencing dead zones or drops in signal strength.

Improved performance

Besides improved coverage, mesh networks also offer improved performance. Mesh points work together to create a single network, allowing for more efficient data distribution, which can result in faster Internet speeds and more stable connections.

Popular Mesh Routers

Here are some popular Wi-Fi Mesh Routers. Do note that these Wi-Fi speeds are theoretical maximums and may vary depending on a variety of factors, including your device, the distance from the router, and whether there are any obstacles present.

	Router	Mesh Points	RAM	Processor Speed	Coverage	Wi-Fi Speeds
	Google Nest WiFi	2	1 GB	Quad-core 1.4 GHz	4500 sq ft	2.4 GHz: 400 Mbps, 5 GHz: 1.2 Gbps
	AmpliFi Ubiquiti Alien Tri-Band WiFi 6 Scalable Mesh System Router	2	1 GB	Quad-core 1.4 GHz	5000 sq ft	2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps, 5 GHz: 4.8 Gbps
	Amazon eero Pro 6 mesh Wi-Fi 6 system	2	1 GB	Quad-core 1.6 GHz	6000 sq ft	2.4 GHz: 600 Mbps, 5 GHz: 1.2 Gbps

Smart routers

Another emerging trend in router technology is the ‘smart router’. Traditional routers are focused solely on providing Internet access. Smart routers, on the other hand, offer a range of additional features and capabilities. These include advanced security, better parental controls, better network management and deeper integration with smart home devices.

Advanced security

One of the key features of smart routers is advanced security. They are designed to provide enhanced protection against hackers and malware. These smart routers often include features such as firewalls, intrusion prevention, and encryption, which can help to prevent unauthorized access to your network and protect your sensitive data.

Parental controls

In addition to advanced security, smart routers also offer a range of parental controls. These features allow parents to set limits on Internet usage and access, such as blocking certain websites or limiting the amount of time that children can spend online. This can be a valuable tool for parents who want to protect their children from inappropriate content.

Network management

Another benefit of smart routers is network management. Smart routers often include features that allow users to monitor and manage their network, such as bandwidth allocation and device prioritization. It allows users to ensure that each device is receiving the appropriate amount of bandwidth. For example, gaming devices or devices that are streaming video, are given priority.

With their advanced security, parental controls, and network management capabilities, smart routers could become a central hub for managing all of your connected devices and ensuring that your home network is always running smoothly.

Wireless standards

The evolution of wireless standards is another trend to look out for in router technology. Wireless standards, such as Wi-Fi 6, determine the speed and performance of wireless networks. As these standards evolve, we can expect to see significant improvements in the speed and performance of wireless networks.

The latest wireless standard is Wi-Fi 6, which offers faster speeds (up to 9.6 Gbps) and more bandwidth than previous standards. Wi-Fi 6 also comes with new technology that enables routers to support more devices simultaneously, avoid interference and provide more targeted Wi-Fi signals.

This can be particularly beneficial for users who have lots of devices connected to the internet at the same time, as it allows them to stream video, play games, and browse the web without experiencing slowdowns or drops in performance. Do remember that to take full advantage of Wi-Fi 6, you will also need devices that are compatible with Wi-Fi 6.

Recommended Wi-Fi 6 Routers

	Router	RAM	CPU	Wi-Fi Speed
	TP-Link AX6000 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX6000)	1 GB	Quad-core 1.8 GHz	4.8 Gbps
	NETGEAR Nighthawk AX8 Wifi 6 Router (RAX80)	1 GB	Quad-core 2.2 GHz	6 Gbps
	ASUS ROG Rapture WiFi 6E Gaming Router (GT-AXE11000)	1 GB	Quad-core 1.8 GHz	11 Gbps
	Linksys MX12600 Velop Intelligent Mesh WiFi 6 System	512 MB	Quad-core 1.4 GHz	4.2 Gbps

Conclusion

The future of router technology is bright. From mesh networking and smart routers to the latest wireless standards, we are seeing exciting developments that are improving the performance and capabilities of routers. These innovations are changing the way we connect to the Internet and share data and have the potential to greatly enhance our daily lives.

As the demand for strong and reliable wireless networks continues to grow, we can expect to see further advancements in router technology. Whether it’s improved coverage and performance with mesh networking, enhanced security and network management with smart routers, or faster speeds and greater capacity with the latest wireless standards, the potential future of router technology is exciting.

Investing in the latest router technology can help to keep your network secure, efficient, and reliable.